A contestant dressed up as the "White Porcelain Carp-shaped Water Dropper" for the “2026 Dress Like a Museum Exhibit” at the National Museum of Korea, in Yonsan-gu, Seoul on Saturady. (Yonhap)
The National Museum of Korea held the finals of its nationwide artifact costume contest Saturday, bringing together 25 finalist teams dressed as cultural artifacts from different periods and regions of Korean history.
Participants in the “2026 Dress Like a Museum Exhibit” gathered at the museum in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, with some traveling from as far as Gyeongsang and Chungcheong provinces. Some contestants painted themselves in gold and carried handmade artifact costumes measuring more than two meters tall.
The finalists took turns walking down a runway and performing to music they had prepared, recreating the forms and characteristics of the artifacts they portrayed.
The top prize went to 23-year-old university student Jeon Eun-seul, who dressed as the "White Porcelain Carp-shaped Water Dropper" from the Joseon period, dating from the late 18th to early 20th century.
More than 2,000 people had registered in advance for seats at the event, with contestants’ families and friends joining museum visitors curious to see the artifacts brought to life.
Contestants dressed up as "Seal of Emperor Gojong of the Korean Empire" for the “2026 Dress Like a Museum Exhibit” at the National Museum of Korea, in Yonsan-gu, Seoul on Saturday. (Yonhap)
“2026 Dress Like a Museum Exhibit” at the National Museum of Korea, in Yonsan-gu, Seoul on Saturday. (Yonhap)
A contestant dressed up as "Transcription of Avatamsaka Sutra" for the “2026 Dress Like a Museum Exhibit” at the National Museum of Korea, in Yonsan-gu, Seoul on Saturday. (Yonhap)
A contestant dressed up as "Pensive Bodhisattva" for the “2026 Dress Like a Museum Exhibit” at the National Museum of Korea, in Yonsan-gu, Seoul on Saturday. (Newsis)
“2026 Dress Like a Museum Exhibit” at the National Museum of Korea, in Yonsan-gu, Seoul on Saturday. (Newsis)
A contestant dressed up as "Polished Stone Dagger" for the “2026 Dress Like a Museum Exhibit” at the National Museum of Korea, in Yonsan-gu, Seoul on Saturday. (Newsis)
“2026 Dress Like a Museum Exhibit” at the National Museum of Korea, in Yonsan-gu, Seoul on Saturday. (Newsis)
Contestants dressed up as "Bronze Rattles" for the “2026 Dress Like a Museum Exhibit” at the National Museum of Korea, in Yonsan-gu, Seoul on Saturday. (Newsis)
“2026 Dress Like a Museum Exhibit” at the National Museum of Korea, in Yonsan-gu, Seoul on Saturday. (Newsis)
